About Irene
Hi, I’m Irene Tsui.
I coach teens who are navigating international moves, and I work with their parents along the way, whether the transition feels smooth, complicated, or somewhere in between.
I know these transitions from the inside. I was born and raised in Hong Kong, moved to New York as a teenager, later returned to Hong Kong to live and work, and eventually relocated to Amsterdam, where I am currently based. I remember what it feels like to arrive somewhere new and have to find your place all over again.
Alongside this lived experience, I spent fifteen years teaching science in international schools. Working with students aged 13–19, I saw how often they go through big changes without talking much about it. They keep up with expectations and rarely draw attention to what feels hard.
I’ve seen how much it matters when a young person feels genuinely seen and listened to, without the pressure to perform.
Teaching placed me alongside teenagers day to day, not only in formal conversations, but in the ordinary rhythm of school life. Over time, I learned to notice when something wasn’t quite right — when effort no longer matched energy, or when confidence quietly dropped. Knowing when to ask, when to wait, and when to involve others was part of that responsibility.
Wanting to work in this way more deliberately, I trained professionally as a coach through the EMCC framework, and continue to deepen my work through supervision and ongoing development.
My work is grounded in listening, presence, and respect. I pay attention to the small changes that are easy to miss, such as when a teen starts to feel a little more steady, or a little less alone. Growth doesn’t always look dramatic or measurable. Often, it’s the subtle shifts that matter the most.
I approach this work with compassion and cultural sensitivity, and with an awareness that international moves affect everyone in a family differently. Parents are often holding a great deal themselves while trying to support their children through unfamiliar territory. These moves are genuinely demanding for everyone in a family.
I believe young people deserve to be met with dignity. Their experiences don’t need to be extreme or visible to matter. Even when things look “fine” on the outside, there can be a lot happening underneath.
That is what Talk To Irene is here for.
If this feels relevant right now, booking an introductory call is the first step.